This Monday, July 27th, is Fr. Mitch Pacwa's 60th birthday (see his Facebook page), and I want to be sure to send him birthday greetings while I am thinking of it as the next few days are going to be fairly hectic here.
I've been fortunate, in my twelve years as a Catholic, of meeting and knowing some truly remarkable priests, and Fr. Mitch is one of the most remarkable. I think the highest praise I can give him, having known him for a dozen years or so, is that he is so obviously Christ-centered in all that he does and says. His love for the Lord is palpable, infectious, and real, and from this flows his tremendous love for the Church, for everyone he meets, for Scripture,
for life. His humor, humility, and holiness are deep and authentic, just as his academic chops (Ph.D. in Hebrew; speaks/reads a dozen or more languages, etc.) are authentic, but never paraded about or used as a stick.
While working on my MTS (1997-2000), Fr. Mitch was my spiritual director for about two years. I was a new Catholic, and his advice, exhortation, and wisdom were invaluable. He was instrumental in the publication of my first book, Will Catholics Be "Left Behind"?, having encouraged me to write it in the first place and then, when I got bogged down in the middle of it, simply telling me, with just the right amount of sternness: "Finish it!"
Those familiar with Fr. Mitch know very well of his many endeavors, written and otherwise, in the area of apologetics. One thing I saw many times over, as I've had opportunity to be in public with him many times, is that he has an uncanny—actually, supernatural, I'm convinced—ability to recognize what needs to be said and not be said, a beautiful sensitivity to the person he is talking to or listening to. He often had strong words for me, and he was right to be so forward; he knew what I needed and he knew I could handle it. I also saw him handle delicate situations with a profound gentleness, as a true shepherd of souls.
And there is always the sly and knowing sense of humor, as evidenced in one of the stories I like to tell of Fr. Mitch. One Saturday evening, after he had taught class for six hours (as part of the University of Dallas IRPS program), Fr. Mitch and a group of five or six of us students went out for dinner. The young waitress, seeing his Roman collar (which he always wears in public), half-asked, "So, you're a Catholic priest?"
"Yes, I am," he said with a big smile. "Are you Catholic?"
She was immediately a bit nervous, but also somewhat defiant. "Well, I used to be," she said, "but I'm not anymore. I got over that whole guilt thing."
Seeing that she was wearing a wedding ring, Fr. Mitch said, "May I ask you a question?" He knew she was uncomfortable and likely felt, in a sense, outnumbered. "Sure," she said, not sure what to expect.
"Do you have any children?" he asked.
"No, not yet," she said, mystified by the question.
"Well," he said with a warm smile, "when you do, you'll understand the whole guilt thing. I'm sure of it."
And that was it. He didn't press further. Thinking about it later, I realized how easy it would have been to try to launch into reasons why she should come back to the Church and why Catholicism is true, and so forth. But such an approach was wrong for the situation; it would have most likely simply pushed her further away, reinforced whatever antagonism she had, for whatever reason, against her Catholic upbringing. But my bet is that Fr. Mitch's remark planted a seed—not based on sophisticated apologetic arguments or theological complexities (things he is plenty adept at handling, of course), but on basic human nature. And if I still remember that conversation ten years later, I suspect the young woman—perhaps now a mother—remembers it as well, and, by God's grace, it has caused her to rethink and reevaluate her position.
We are blessed to hear Fr. Mitch on EWTN television and radio, to read his books, to listen to his "PacwaCasts," to watch his various video productions. I've been truly blessed to know him as a friend and a spiritual director, and my prayer is that God will grant him many, many more happy years. Thank you and happy birthday, Fr. Mitch!
Happy Birthday, Abouna! Thank you for all your contributions to EWTN and the Maronite Catholic Church. May God continue to bless your work!
Posted by: NYer | Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 02:14 PM
He led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1994 that I was blessed to be able to join. What a joy to listen to him speak at all the different sites. A wonderful priest. I hope I can meet him again sometime.
Posted by: AndyG | Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 03:26 PM
As a classmate of Carl and a student of Fr. Pacwa, I wholeheartedly echo Carl's remarks! Fr. Pacwa has been a HUGE influence in my life and my apostolate is a result of his inspiration (and the work of the Holy Spirit, of course!) Ad multos annos, Fr. Pacwa!
Posted by: Deacon Harold | Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Happy Birthday, Father. Have a nice dinner, eat some cake, open a present or two, and then get back to work.
Posted by: Thomas | Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 07:42 AM
Happy Birthday, Father!
AMDG,
Posted by: joe | Monday, July 27, 2009 at 08:53 AM
I too was blessed to have Fr. Mitch as a prof. He is a skilled teacher, a gentle soul, and an amazing priest. He also carries some heavy crosses, so please pray hard for him.
Too many stories for the combox, but I hope I get to have many more with Fr. Mitch - a spiritual father to many of us.
Posted by: Marcel LeJeune | Monday, July 27, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Happy belated birthday Fr. Pacwa. I hope God blesses you with many more. Our faith needs more like you. See you on EWTN!
Posted by: Ronald B. Fetty, Jr. | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 04:15 AM
I am sorry I am not able to know your
homilies and talks I wish I could have
your copies because I am deaf aand
there is no captioned CC on your talk
programs Only one thing I did hear
your sermon during the Mass with CC.
I like it Belated Happy Birthday
from Tacoma, Washington
Posted by: Joan C. Sherman | Sunday, August 02, 2009 at 06:16 PM
I have the honour of being accepted as a Facebook friend by Fr. Mitch. He is truly remarkable -- God bless him and grant him many more years as a Fisher of Men.
Posted by: Patricia Gonzalez | Tuesday, August 04, 2009 at 06:59 PM
I also am an IRPS grad, '00, just learned of Father Mitch's birthday, Many, many wishes for all our Lord's blessings to you Father Mitch, may you feel our love and gratitude for your ministry to us....I enjoy hearing you say Mass on ewtn radio (KBVM in PDX), I'm concerned about your gravelly voice, hope nothing serious, we are blessed by your gifts.....Polish Peggy from Pgh, PA
Posted by: Peggy Donaldson | Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 08:59 PM